Tuesday Magic Item – Harness of the Hidden Ways

“Take this harness and saddle up Star, my dearest one,” the old man said.

“But why?”

“There are bad things coming and you must ride to take word to the city,” he said sadly. “I will try to slow them down but you must ride to the river crossroad and take the east road . . .”

“But there is to east road there.”

“There will be if your horse is wearing this harness, now go! Many lives are at risk is you tarry, now go and take the east road but do not leave the path until you arrive at the city.”

Harness of the Hidden Ways

These finely made harnesses are made of the finest leather with fitting of brass or bronze, subtly worked with runic engravings.

Any horse (or other equine creature) fitted with the harness is calmed, gaining a +3 morale bonus to saves against fear.

But that is its weakest power, the more important one is that it allows the rider, or driver if it is attached to a cart, to see the doorways to the hidden ways of the fey.

Once a day, under the right circumstances (twilight, a full moon, whatever is appropriate), the animal and all riding it or the animal and a small cart may travel these fey roads. This functions as a Shadow Walk spell except that they are traversing the lands of the fey and must not leave the path if they wish to be safe. There are some rules, the mount cannot be shod in iron shoes nor be wearing iron and any cart cannot have iron fittings or they will not be able to cross over.

The byways of the fey realm allow rapid travel but the fey may choose to play tricks on traveler or attempt to lure they off the path, a wise traveler will not leave the path, but not all who travel with such an item are wise.